Volunteering is a chance to make a difference. Both in your own life and for other people. This week, to mark National Volunteers’ Week, the UK is celebrating volunteers: from what they do to everything they achieve, from grassroots groups to national organisations. Here at the V&A, we’re joining in to share our pride in all the volunteers who are part of our community.
Everyone has their own reason for volunteering. One in four surveyed V&A volunteers tell us the main reason they first got involved was to support what we do. Other motivations focus on people’s own development, such as building new relationships, doing something different, developing new skills or simply having fun. This speaks to one of the joys of volunteering – when done well, the volunteer and the organisation they support both get something out of it.
We spoke to some V&A volunteers and asked how they felt about their time volunteering with us. This is what they had to say:
Frances, Volunteer Guide & Host, V&A South Kensington
“It’s difficult to imagine more fun than being with a great team of colleagues every Wednesday morning in the most beautiful museum in London and I feel privileged to be part of it. Meeting and helping visitors to navigate the rather complicated buildings and extraordinary collection, as well as helping with more practical information, is always satisfying, especially as I love to chat!
“Training to become a guide has really broadened my understanding of the museum and its extraordinary collections, which I love sharing with visitors on the tours. I hope I’m living proof that you never stop learning, especially at the V&A, which will always be my ‘happy place.’’
Zefan, Storymaker, Young V&A
“I began my first volunteering experience as a Playmaker [at Young V&A] before transitioning to the Storymaker role in early 2025 to support my academic research — undoubtedly one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not only have I gained valuable practical experience, but the interactions I’ve had with visitors continue to surprise and inspire me. Supporting young people in expressing themselves through storytelling and encouraging imaginative engagement with museum objects are truly rewarding experiences. I always leave my shifts having learnt something new.”
At all our sites, every volunteer’s contribution is valued and their impact felt. Over 90 volunteers at Young V&A help make the museum a joyful experience for all, sparking creativity in the hundreds of thousands of visitors that walk through its doors. At V&A South Kensington, volunteers support staff behind the scenes to make the records we hold about objects more accessible, while in our public spaces, volunteers inspire visitors to explore and help them better understand the collections by bringing stories about objects, people and communities to life. Our newest team of volunteers at V&A East Storehouse start this week, primed to help visitors take their own path through the worlds of art, design, performance, fashion and more.
Whether you are into creativity and design or this is a whole new world to you, the V&A can be somewhere you can make a difference. Thank you to all V&A volunteers who help make us what we are and happy Volunteers’ Week.
Find out more about V&A volunteering here.
A excellent blog highlighting the role of volunteering and how important volunteering is to museum life. More blogs like this needed to reach out for more volunteers. Excellent blog well made into narrative that non volunteers can understand. More blogs like this